The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-07
THE GERMAN CATHOLICS.
The Attack on the Knights of Labor Repu-
diated-An Enthusiastic Mass-Meeting.

| CHICAGO, Sept. 6-The resolution denouncne
| the Knights of Labor was to-day reported back
/ unfavoraby to the convention of the German
| Roman Catholic Central Union. The committee
| to which the matter referred gave. as q
| reason, that the time not opportune for any
| such resolution. Rev. John Meyer, of Winona.
| Mimi, arose and advised the delegates not to
| say anything about the subject. The conven.
| ton had been misrepresented. There had been
| accounts of their proceedings yesterday pub
| lished in the English papers this morning that
| would make ones hair stand on end.
| Mr.. Mitchs. of ST. Paul, the originator of the
Knights OF Labor resolution, opposed the report
of the committee He said he had heard ad-
dresses of Socialists at a Knights Of Labor meet
ing in New York, and thought Catholic work
men should be protected from such dangerous
influences. He did not care whether the time
was opportune or not If his ideas were right.
they should he adopted
In a moment there were a number of delegates
on their feet, all anxious to advise the conven-
ton to keep hands off. Then brief but intense
silence ensued.
Rev. DIR. Pappert begged the convention to let
the subject alone, as it did not belong to their
province.
St. Paul delegate said that local societies
might exclude Knights of Labor. but the
Central Union ought not to NEEDLE with the
affair.
After some further talk, delegate Mueller
of Cleveland, moved to cut off debate. which
carried.
The report 'of the committee killing the OBJ.
noxious resolution was then adopted unani-
mously Later in the day a resolution recon-
mending that local societies initiate the example
of the Toledo Catholics and establish intelligence
Offices for the assistance of German Catholic
workingmen. was adopted The other proceed
ings were not of a striking character, everybody
apparently looking forward to the mass meeting
at night in Battery d Armory, whers it had been
rumored bitter anti-Irish feeling would crop
out.
There were over 5, 900 people present in Bat
terry d Armory. about one-third being ladies'
The audience enthusiastic and wonderfully
unanimous. The chairman, ex-Lieutenant-
governor Spannhorst. of Missouri, who made an
address, declared that the Germans would cling
TO the customs inherited from their
parents. If the Germans, he said, did not
possess the capacity for making and accumulat
ing vast amounts of money. they certainly had
inherited a frmness and worth and truthfuness
of character that raised them above those who
did possess the faculty Of obtaining Offices. He
point for annual national Catholic conventions.
The church should be independent of the
state and enjoy the liberty it had in this coun-
try. Aside from President Spannhorst's refer
to people who had the faculty Of get
ting offices, there was, to the surprise Of many,
no allusion that could be construed as an
expression of race antagonsm. The proceedings,
in brief. consisted of a number of set addresses
by well known priests and laymen, mainly in
advocacy of the continued of the German
language in America, q religious system Of pub
lie education, aud the establishment of ex-
clusively Catholic working peoples associations.
The session concluded with the reading of q
letter of congratulation from Herr Windthorst.
the leader of the Catholics in Germany. and the
introduction by Dr. Tappert of the following
resolutions. which were rapturously applauded
and adopted:
the United States gathered at the first German Gath
oic convention OF America, now in session at Chi
most heartily and sincerely our congratulations to his
Holiness Pope Leo Kill the only father of Catholic
golden priests jubilee. and to acquaint his Holiness
OF our deepest submission under his infallible
with our most respectful homage, on the
declare ourselves in full accord with the wish of his
Holiness to have his territorial sovereignty restored
ardina Ramp ola the State Secretary of his Holi-
ness dated Juy, 1887. May this jubilee of the
whole of Caristendom by the fulilment of the de-
mand of his Holiness, as peaceful as it is just
connect the attachment to the holy church and at
tachment of adopted fatherland with the approba
and highest shepherd well American born
fellow-ctzens, that simply by clinging to
habits. able to fulfill duties to both of you
that is ITO be good Catholics and good American citi
zens.
Third-Based the principle warranted by expert
ence Ito whom the school belongs belongs the fut-
German Ca holc priests for their successful efforts
preserve and the true religion and the Ger
man language by the founding and maintenance of
parish schools. We also request the clergy and peo-
pie continue in the common development and per-
lection of school system that affords in its bna-
ton of spiritual cultivation and religious moral edu
cation the only sure guarantee of good education of
Fourth--To tie honorable representatives of the
German Catholic press, the editors and publishers
hearty thanks for their strictly united in
the German Catholic Press Association and for the
sf,,l ;,hi
honor the Holy Father. Leo XIII Before the united
German Catholics of America, ask these German
with united frmness, with genuine German perse-
verance to the gry of the holy church. and for the
general benefit of br German Catholic popula
ton.
Misunderstanding the labor question, we would
like to advise German Catholic workmen that, think
ing have found real remedy against this social
illness reduce this subject from the heights of
worlds question, where agitation has brought it.
back again to the circle of national and Christian APP
prehenson have confidence in themselves that their
al principles of the Catholic Church. will find the
remedy that win be according timely and local
of their workmen and to try to advance their
financial and moral welfare with all their might, for
only by sensible and Christian holding together
the interests of both employers and workmen be
advanced
necton between priest and people can have useful
effect. especially in Catholic congregations beg
the German Catholics of America with all our heart,
10 be firm in their fially surrendered confidence to
their priests, to be in perfect harmony with thern
take interest in the preservation and development of
5he religious and social associations already consti
5uted. but especially to establish, with the aid
their priests and under the strict condition of only
Catholic membership, other such pure social associ-
atoms where, in distinction from the religious indif
ference of the worldly social clubs. Catholics,
zoung and old, have sound religious and not less
agreeable atmosphere especially as in such associ-
tions is possible to discuss the questions of the
lay and to take a united position regarding them.
Seventh-We feel encouraged to recommend with
III hearts the St. Raphaels Association the pro-
eetion OF German immigrants to our countrymen,
because just the Americana German Catholics
begun to raise the funds for the foundation of
German Catholic emigrant establishment-the Leo
Iouse-showing the glory of Americana German sacri
ce and to be an everlasting monument of the gold
n priests jubilee of the Holy Father, Pope Leo /
XII.
WILL NOT SUCCEED BEECHER.
Iyron w. Reed Says He Shall Not Go to
Brooklyn-Hfs Eastern Trip.
Interview in Denver Republican.